Impact of Taoism on Lao Tzu & Chuang Tzu

A comparison with the conformity of Confucianism shows the non-conformity to be a clear reflection of contemporary counterculture. The latter rejects the traditional culture just as Taoism rejects Confucianism. It is no surprise, then, to find the contemporary counterculture leaning toward Taoist thought, Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu in its attempts to find an alternative world view and a fresh, radical, individualized and more authentic way of governing oneself and others. Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu are far more similar in their thoughts than they are different. Their general approach has created a school which stands in contrast to other similar schools:

Whereas in other schools Tao means a system of moral truth, in this school it is the One, which is natural, eternal, spontaneous, nameless, and indescribable. It is at once the beginning of all things and the way in which all things pursue their course. . . . It denotes simplicity, spontaneity, tranquillity, weakness, and most important of all, non-action. . . . The latter [means] . . . "taking no action that is contrary to Nature"---in other words, le

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onate conclusion is that Lao Tzu and Chuang Tzu are merely expressing their own natures and individuality in their distinct interpretation and expression of Taoism. It is clear that the members of the contemporary counterculture see in both men admirable qualities and did not significantly differentiate between the two, taking from each the features they thought represented effective responses to the traditions of modern culture. D.T. Suzuki takes this more broad perspective on the two men, particularly in regard to their mystical outlooks: Chuang Tzu did his best when he rode up in the air on the back of the Tai-p'eng, whose wings soared like overhanging clouds; and Lao Tzu when he could command winds and clouds as his charioteers (Suzuki 48). Whatever Chan's arguments comparing the two, it is clear that from a more generous perspective, the two separately and together offer the contemporary counterculture a powerful and moving alternative to traditional standards of religion and behavior. With respect to the issue of governing oneself and others, the approaches of both men advocate individual responsibility over social coercion. This, again, stands in stark contrast to the traditional approach of Confucianism and the conse
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Approximate Word count = 1628
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page)